Advertise on podcast: Bird Brain

In this episode of Bird Brain, I'm joined by David Lindo, aka The Urban Birder, to take a closer look at Woody Woodpecker and his ever-changing appearance. There's a a meander through our various encounters with woodpeckers, the way nature is scapegoated and whether Woody Woodpecker was based on a distinct member of the woodpecker family. This episode is truly close to my heart, as David and I explore who gets to tell the story of conservation and why limited representation can create an “us versus them” divide. It's an honour to discuss urban wildlife and conservation while also digging into diversity and representation in nature media, with the Urban Birder! To join the Urban Birder's community click here To keep up with David Lindo on Instagram, click here

This week on Bird Brain, we're doing something a little different! Instead of focusing on a single bird character, we're taking a journey through the entire world of The Animals of Farthing Wood with conservation campaigner and MRes Biosciences researcher, Liliana Tarrant Snedden. More than thirty years after the series first aired, we explore everything from whether its central message about habitat loss is more relevant than ever, to who/what the modern villain might be? A few key things we cover include: • Why The Animals of Farthing Wood remains one of Britain's most powerful environmental stories. • The biggest conservation wins and setbacks of every decade since the series aired (from disappearing hedgerows and declining insects to pine marten recoveries and the Future Generations Act in Wales. • Why grassroots activism gives us genuine reasons to be hopeful, and how ordinary people are helping shape the future of nature. Whether you grew up traumatised by the hedgehogs crossing the road, cheering on Fox, or you've never watched the series at all, this episode is actually about something much bigger... How our relationship with British wildlife has changed, and where it might be headed. Useful links: Lilliana Tarrant Sneddon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liliana.rts/ BTO Youth: https://www.bto.org/get-involved/young-people UK Youth for Nature: https://www.youthfornature.org/ Citizen science projects from the BTO: https://www.bto.org/get-involved

I'm joined by Suzy Buttress from The Casual Birder Podcast to find out how closely Sam Eagle from The Muppets resembles a real bald eagle. In this episode we discuss: Why Benjamin Franklin would have preferred a turkey to be the national bird of AmericaFrank Oz's illustrious career, beyond the MuppetsLead poisoning statistics in the Bald Eagle population At the end of the episode, Suzy recommends a few of her favourite episodes from The Casual Birder Podcast: Backyard Birds in Baja:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PCJJayOib0Ru63iceN63X?si=0bfcd0b5a5984f93Mark Gagliardi as guest:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cuLtMKr0i0q5ZUgcVAwug?si=72e66fc32bde4c5cBird walk with Lev Parikian:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7jyEP9AGvTZIO9xx0alDKa?si=b55e7f88506042c9A special episode with her husband:https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VsOvwqRpDnMn1xYIE9Mp8?si=b29962168de548f1

This week on Bird Brain, we take flight with Archimedes the owl from Disney’s The Sword in the Stone, joined by nature tour guide Nick Patel from Wilder Skies in Somerset. From the rolling hills of the West Country to the realities of rewilding, we explore what “good” nature really looks like, and why it’s not always the postcard-perfect green landscape we expect. Think messy habitats, brown mulch, and the hidden ecosystems that support birds and insects alike. We also dive into the truth about little owls in the UK (including why they’re often just… sitting there), their surprising history as an introduced species, and how films like The Sword in the Stone shape our perceptions of wildlife, sometimes for better, sometimes not. Along the way, we reflect on what being outdoors teaches us, from Nick’s life as a nature guide to Wart’s lessons with Merlin, and revisit the slightly terrifying moment that made a generation wary of Perch. Book a tour with Nick or explore his monthly wildlife guides that give handy tips on what you can see when: https://www.wilderskies.co.ukFollow Wilder Skies on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_wilderskies_/

This week we dive into Beavers, via Mr and Mrs Beaver from The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m joined by Sean McCormack, vet, sometime TV personality and project lead at the Ealing Beaver Project. Together we unpack the things C.S. Lewis got gloriously right and a few of the things he got very wrong (Sean’s incensed by the inclusion of beavers frying fish!). We explore common misconceptions about beavers, from the myth that they decimate fish populations to the realities of rewilding in urban environments. We also talk practical coexistence, including how to gently manipulate irresponsible dog owners into keeping dogs on leads when beavers are present. Ultimately, I'm adamant that the Beavers may just be the truest symbol of domesticity, resistance, and hope in the Narnia novels, forget the flashy heroes, and fall in love with these eco engineers. A thoughtful, funny episode about literature, ecology, and why beavers might be the quiet success story we all need right now. Find out more about the Ealing Beaver Project here: https://theealingbeaverproject.com

This week on Bird Brain, it’s a festive deep dive into The 12 Days of Christmas with Jon Carter, Media Manager at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Together we unwrap one of the most familiar Christmas songs and ask a surprising question: what if the twelve gifts weren’t romantic gestures at all, but birds destined for a medieval banquet?  We also crunch the numbers using the Christmas Price Index to find out what those twelve days would cost today, look ahead to uplifting conservation success stories to watch for in 2026, and yes, there’s even bird-themed jokes and a little singing along the way. A thoughtful, funny, and hopeful episode for the Christmas period, perfect for bird lovers, history fans, and anyone curious about how culture and nature collide. Useful links: 🐦 Follow the BTO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btobirds/ 🌿 Get involved with the BTO: https://www.bto.org/get-involved 🎁 The PNC Christmas Price Index: https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/topics/pnc-christmas-price-index.html

This week on Bird Brain, I’m joined by Stephen Moss: broadcaster, ornithologist, and author of, among a rather large list, The Robin. Together, we've done a special Christmas deep dive into Aardman Animations’ Robin Robin. We explore why the robin is Britain’s most beloved festive bird, how Aardman brings nature to life through stop-motion storytelling, and what the film gets right (and delightfully wrong) about real bird behaviour. We also chat about what a nice man Nick Park is, the science of garden birds at Christmas, and the surprising role pet cats play as predators in our backyards. If you love wildlife, animation, folklore or just need a dose of cosy seasonal nature chat, this one’s for you!

This week on Bird Brain, I’m joined by Alice Vassallo, zookeeper and host of A*****e Animals with Alice. Together we talk about Red Lories and Iago. We dig into why Disney’s sharp-tongued parrot is so unforgettable, and which real-life animals might make even better troublemakers. A chat full of colour, chaos, and charismatic villains!

This week on Bird Brain, I’m live from Global Birdfair 2025, joined by ecologist Naomi Davis, my first non-binary guest on the pod! Together we dive into the iconic flock of chickens from Chicken Run, that stop-motion classic once pitched as “The Great Escape with Chickens.” We cover everything from the genius of the word “wazzock” and why it matters , to the way internalised misogyny shapes how we read characters like Mac. Along the way, we explore how films like Chicken Run can both reinforce and subvert cultural ideas about birds, gender, and freedom. If you love your bird chat with a mix of cinema, social insight, and a touch of clay-feathered rebellion, this one’s for you. Follow Naomi here: https://www.instagram.com/naturnaomi?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

This week on Bird Brain, I’m joined by ecologist, bird ringer, and rewilding champion Penny Green, fresh from a decade at Knepp and now heading into her next wild chapter on the South Downs. We’re talking about Green Woodpeckers (also known as yaffles), with a specific focus on Professor Yaffle from Bagpuss. We look at everything, from their role as habitat engineers to their unmistakable laugh. Penny shares what it’s been like witnessing nature bounce back at Knepp, why unimproved meadows are more vital than ever, and how her new podcast The Wandering Ecologist aims to lift us out of doomscrolling and celebrate what’s working in the world of conservation. If you like your bird chat with a healthy dose of hope, woodpecker lore, and practical ecology, this one’s for you. Follow Penny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sussex_emerald?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=dTVlamx1eHF5dnA=

🎙️ In this episode of Bird Brain, we soar into the vibrant and endangered world of the Spix’s Macaw—the striking blue parrot made famous by Blu in the animated film Rio. Joining me is Scarlett Hilton—BTO Young Leader, nature poet, and passionate advocate for equitable access to nature. We discuss:🦜 Rio and the real-life story behind Blu🌵 The caatinga biome – What makes this dry forest ecosystem so vital for macaws⚖️ Poaching and pet ownership – From international trafficking to Minnesota’s bizarre exotic pet laws🎧 Bioacoustic monitoring – How sound is helping track and protect endangered birds📚 The Falcon Thief – A gripping read on wildlife crime, recommended by Scarlett Scarlett also shares her thoughts on the role of storytelling, poetry, and youth engagement in bird conservation. Check out these links:🔗 The Falcon Thief by Joshua Hammer – Waterstones🔗 Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP)🔗 Chico Mendes Institute, Brazil🔗 Can you own any exotic animals in Minnesota? – The Environmental Literacy Council

Bonus Beasts: Iorek Byrnison, from the His Dark Materials trilogy. This episode isn’t just about polar bears. It’s about what happens when you’re stripped of your purpose — and how, for some people, recovery means forging a new kind of armour. To explore that, I’m joined by psychiatrist and trauma specialist Dr Mathew Hoskins — who’s worked on cutting-edge therapies for PTSD, including MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Today we’re asking: what can a fictional bear teach us about real psychological healing?

In this episode of Bird Brain, we take flight into the world of geese in literature, folklore, and nature with Liliana Tarrant Snedden—President of the Cardiff University Ornithological Society and BTO Youth Rep. We discuss:Kaisa the daemon – Exploring how Philip Pullman's choice of a Snow Goose for a witch’s familiar in His Dark Materials is subverting the usual image of a witch’s bird, often linked to corvids or birds of prey.📜 Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese  🧬 Genetic diversity – Why it’s crucial for species survival and conservation. Liliana also shares how young birdwatchers can get free birding equipment to level up their skills! Check out these links:🔗 BTO Equipment Scheme: Access free birdwatching kit🔗 BTO Youth Reps: Find out more🔗 Follow Liliana on Instagram: @liliana.rts Please like and share this episode ✨ #Birdwatching #HisDarkMaterials #Geese #WildlifeConservation #PhilipPullman #DaemonTheory

Roadrunners, Cuckoos, and Cold War Cartoons: A Chat with Jon Carter from the BTO In this episode, we’re joined by Jon Carter, Media Manager at The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), to talk all things birds—and a bit of Looney Tunes! 🐦🎥 We dive into why Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote became a surprising cultural phenomenon in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, explore the fascinating connection between roadrunners and cuckoos, and debate whether the cartoon duo symbolizes the unattainable American Dream. Plus, Jon shares how bird surveys like the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch and Nest Count Project play a vital role in tracking bird populations—and how you can get involved. 📢 Listen now and visit BTO’s Garden BirdWatch and Nest Count Project to make a difference for our feathered friends! To get involved with the tracking of cuckoos specifically, click here: https://www.bto.org/cuckoos

In this episode of Bird Brain, I’m joined by Stu for a lively conversation as we unpack the challenges of Stu’s vegan lifestyle and examine the often arbitrary ways humans categorise animals—shifting between entertainment, companionship, and consumption. We dive into the ethical implications of mega-corporations like Disney, their influence on wildlife conservation, and the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Who made the better Scuttle: a Herring Gull or a Northern Gannet? And what does the choice say about representation and realism? Finally, we tackle the avian flu crisis and plunge diving killing machines. If you’re into birds, ethics, or pop culture, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! References: Glamour article by Nylah Burton, 'I'm begging people to be normal about The Little Mermaid' https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-racism-feminism-criticism Explore the Disney Conservation Fund Interactive Grant Map